Ching expected as reserve vs. Kansas City

HOUSTON – Despite hopes for a playoff dwindling to a new low last weekend, Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear is not about to empty his bench for players who have not deserved the opportunity.

The Dynamo face Kansas City on Wednesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark before facing D.C. United on Saturday at RFK Stadium.

“You just don’t get to play because we are looking ahead, you have to earn the right to play no matter what sport or what career you are in,” Kinnear said. “So it’s not like we are going to give these guys time, you have to earn that.”

That is potentially sobering news for Francisco Navas Cobo or Sammy Appiah, but Cam Weaver could see some valuable minutes at forward down the stretch. The Dynamo have no choice but to start the Kansas City game without captain Brian Ching, thanks to a strain in his left knee that will limit him to a reserve role Wednesday, if anything.

“I went through training [on Tuesday] and felt OK,” Ching told the Houston Chronicle. "I feel confident enough to be on the bench for the game. I'm just hoping to continue to progress."

Ching has only 14 league starts in 2010, his lowest total since he started just 11 games in 2005. Ching’s absences that year also stemmed from injury.

Forwards Joseph Ngwenya and Dominic Oduro both have played well at times over the last month, but Weaver seems to be the most likely candidate to replace Ching as the team’s target forward.

In addition to Ching, goalkeeper Tally Hall may also be unavailable tonight against the Wizards. Tyler Deric was listed as the backup goalkeeper against Toronto last weekend due to an ankle injury Hall suffered last week at practice.

Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.